Soviets Drop Demand For Plo At Mideast Peace Talks

November 10, 1987

WASHINGTON — The Soviet Union has dropped its demand for a separate Palestine Liberation Organization delegation in proposed Mideast peace talks, an Israeli official said Monday. Palestinians would be mixed in with Jordanians for the negotiations, an arrangement that is considered acceptable by Israel and the United States. The Israeli official said Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze relayed the change in Moscow`s position at a meeting in September with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. ``The Soviets always insisted on the PLO as a must participant,`` the Israeli said. ``This is a major change.`` The question remains, however, whether Arab-Israeli peace talks will be held.